Lever lock for dispensing devices



Nov. 28,1944. w, E c ET AL 2,363,747

LEVER LOCK FQRVDISPENSING DEVICES Filed Jan. 12, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet l 4 z-v 86 H I H 1 87 21 O 84 o 41' 15 1 Q 85 1 i '6... I V y 5 20 INVENTOR. L v 66 CH4RL m R5505 VMMEJ E cam/EM E aamw.

Nov. 28, 1944.

C. W. REECE ETAL LEVER LOOK FOR DISPENSING DEVICES Filed Jan. 12, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. CHARLES REECE Nov. 28, 1944. c. w. REECE ETAL ,3 4

LEVER LOCK FOR DISPENSING DEVICES Filed Jan. l2, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 By JAM SFC 0N5) Patented Nov. 28, 1944 1 LEVER LOOK FOR DISPENSING DEVICES Charles W. Reece, Bartonville, and James F. Cooney, Springfield, 111., assignors of fifty per cent to said Reece, forty per cent to said Cooney, flve per cent to George E. Boettcher, Springfield, Ill., and five per cent to Eva G. Reader, Springfield, Ill.

Application January 12, m Serial No. 426,526

1 Claim. (01. 222-153) Our invention relates to dispensers; and especially to dispensers of fluids such as may require the dispensing done in predetermined accurately measured quantities with each measured quantity that is dispensed to be registered in a manner that will record each of the dispensed measurements as well as record asummarized total of all fluid measurements that have been dispensed from a container. I 7

Another purpose of our invention is to provide a fluid measuring and registering dispenser of such construction as will permit it to be lockably and communicatively connected with a fluid container and will permit the fluid measuring and registering mechanism of the dispenser to be locked against pilfering.

A particular purpose of our invention is to provide a fluid measuring and registering dispenser constructed to permit itslockable communicative connection with a bottle; will permit the dispensing mechanical elements of the unit to be locked against pilfering and an operative construction that will make it necessary for such a ring which controls the dial movements and bottle provided with one of our dispensers, to be tilted to a predetermined fluid dispensing angle before a dispensing lever thereof may be adjusted to a position where it can afl'ect a release of such fluids from the bottle.

We attain the objects of our invention by the fluid dispensing unit described in this specification; recited in the claim and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation showing in a. cutaway certain operative details of construction of our fluid measuring and registering dispenser.

Fig. 2 is a top view of our invention with the cover portion of the casing removed.

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of curdispenser shown secured to a bottle.

Fig. 4 is a bottom view of our dispenser.

Fig. 5 is a detafl face view illustrating the lock means for preventing the dispensers removal from a bottle neck. s

Fig. 6 is a detail face view of the mechanism for registering the several measured quantities of fluid released by our dispenser.

Fig. 7 is a vertical section and. cutaway illustrating the valve construction of our dispenser together with. the valve retracting spring and cam seat cap for the valve.

Fig. 8 is a front view of the registering dial.

Fig. 9 is a cross section of the same.

; Fig. 10 is a rear view of the same.

Fig. 11 is a side view of the dial.

the dial moving pin and dial control teeth moved by the pin when adjusting the dial.

Fig. 13 is a perspective of a spring pawl and sliding cam block adapted to efiect a step by step motion of the ratchet ring as the dispensing handie is adjusted for the release of fluids.

Fig. 14 is a perspective of the valve control cam which is slidably and pivotally actuated by the dispensing lever.

Fig. 15 .is a retracting spring for the dispensing lever.

Fig. 16 is a one side view of the dispensing lever.

Fig- 1'7 is the other side View of the dispensing lever. Fig. 18 is a detail of the operative construction of the lock shown in Figure 5 and adapted to hold the dispenser casing in operative position on a bottle neck containing fluids.

We are aware of the existence of more than one fluid dispensing unit; but it is our purpose to provide in the novel operative construction of our invention, broadly speaking, a fluid measuring and registering dispenser which may be lockably and communicatively secured to a fluid container either directly connected therewith or by a remote connection therewith in a manner that will permit the invention to function eificiently as it measures and registers predetermined quantities of fluids as they are being dispensed; while atthe same time we propose to provide in such a. fluid dispenser an eflective means of locking the same against pilfering.

Thus when merchandising fluids such as expensive medicines, chemicals and drinks of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic content or other valuable fluids needing the service and efliciency of both a measuring and registering dispenser then it will be essential to th welfare of the business to provide some means incorporating in its construction some way to lock it against pilfering as well as some way to accurately measure and register each and every quantity of predetermined size of fluid that is dispensed from a container; so that a, merchant may be able to know accurately from time to time whether or not he is receiving the correct amount of money for all fluids that are being dispensed by or through his merchandising establishments.

In our efforts to achieve this most practical and much needed eflicient service in this field we have devised a fluid dispenser which not only is capable of an operative attachment to fluid con-.

tainers of difierent types by a direct connection: but which may be attached by a remote connection if desired.

However-in this specification we are disclosing, illustrating and describing our dispensing unit as it will be analyzed in connection with its operative lockable and communicative attachment to a fluid bottle with its novel details of construction and mechanism functions which will not only accurately measure predetermined quantities of bottled fluids as they are being dispensed but will also record and register each quantity dispensed and indicate with it a total summary of all of such quantities dispensed, with a visible showing of such records at all times.

Thus in a detailed analysis of the salient features of no elty in our dispensing unit\ we shall now describe the same with reference to its construction as illustrated in the drawings; wherein a dispenser collar I is slipped over a. bottle neck 2 permitting pivoted yoke members 8 and 4 within the base of collar I to drop over engaging the bottle neck under annular rib 8 thereof to prevent undesired removal of collar I from the bottle neck.

When mounting our dispenser on a bottle so that it may not be removed unintentionally we then insert the lower sleeve portion 8 of the dispensing casing I down into the lower collar I permitting threads 8 of sleeve 8 to threadablyengage threads 9 of collar I to hold them firmly together.

When securing sleeve 8 into collar I of easing 1 we thus forcefully draw annularshoulder II of casing 1 down upon the top I I of bottle mouth I2, and at the same time rotatably urges upwardly on members 3.and 4 pivoted on bottom terminal hooks I3 of collar I.

When casing 1 is firmly screwed into collar I by its lower threaded sleeve portion 8 it will be then locked into its tight engagement with bottle neck 2 by means of a spring lock operatively housed within the wall of collar I just out-side of threads 8 thereof.

This lock is operated with a key (not shown), but adapted to be inserted in a key hole I4 for lifting a deformation I5 of lug spring I8 permitting the slidable key adjustment of cam plate I! and slidably engages a curved spring I8 having a terminal stop member lug l9 which resiliently springs into vertical notch 20 extending through threads 8 of sleeve 8 in order to prevent sleeve s eave? needed, but we accurately record each quantity that is dispensed and very eflectively lock the dispensing unit against pilfering.

For instance we use a plunger type reciprocating valve 21 actuated by dispensing lever 28 which is carefully controlled in its movements by means adapted toprevent any adjustment thereof for the release of fluids until the bottle with the dispenseris tipped to a predetermined dispensing angle.

We thus achieve our purpose by our novel con- .trol of valve 21 with dispensing lever 28.

Valve 21 is normally lifted up oil of shoulder it over the bottle mouth I I by a retracting spring 28 resting in a spring seat cap 80 extending down into the top terminal chamber ll of valve 21 which slidably moves in sleeve 82 fixed centrally in casing I. This spring 28 encompasses an upright threadedshank 82 at the top 01' valve 21 while a cam 'seat cap'84 threadably engages shank 88 of valve 21 and is provided with a curved cam v.seat channel 88 for the slidable contact of the hook 48 normally engaging a top integral edge 4| of dispensing lever 28 for limiting the released movement or upward lift of dispensing lever 28 which is' lifted by a metallic spring 42 engaging 6 from being threadably turned in threads 9 of collar I when it is not desired. In the construction of this look the holding portion I5 defined in lock member I8 is held down by an anchoring plate 2 I. Thus the sliding cam plate I1 is slidably moved against the curve 22 of cam spring I8 with releasing stop member lug I8 from groove 28 extending across threads 8 in the sleeve 8 when unlocking the dispenser casing from its firmly screwed engagement with a bottle neck 2.

After thus securing casing l to collar I by' threadably screwing sleeve 8 thereto and after adjusting the ratchet ring 23 and its cooperating fluid registering dial 24 covering, the dispensing mechanism of casing I will be locked in place by turning lock 25 with a key,

It will be obvious that it would be possible to devise a number of ways to measure and dispense predetermined or selected quantities of fluids from containers thereof; but in a study of our invention it shouldbe borne in mind that it is our purpose to provide in this device not only a means quickly and accurately measuring the fluids in such desired quantities as they are dispensing lever 28 near point 48 where it is pivotally supported. This spring 42 is held in place by a screw 44.

It will be noted that dispensing lever 28 is shaped at its free end to define a hand grip 48, at its pivoted end to define a yoke terminal anchored to a supporting pin -48, and intermediate its ends a top portion defining an inverted channel, the opposed sides of which have independent functions to per-form.

For instance cam pressure portion 88 ofdispensing lever 28 slidably rides at top curved surface 88, while one lower edge of the inverted channel portion of dispensing lever 28 is shaped to define a tooth segment 41 having recessed terminals 48 and 48 at its ends which are utilized in conjunction with a pawl 88 carried by a screw SI and resiliently held in place by a spring member 52 supported on a pin 88 and adapted to prevent dispensing lever 28 from being adjusted to a dispensing position until the dispensing unit is tilted to a predetermined angle where it will completely and quickly drain all fluid from the measuring chamber 54 as it flows out the mouth 85 of dispensing tube 88 into a receptacle. In this way tooth segment 41 of dispensing lever 28 will contact pawl 58 preventing an adjustment of the lever until the dispenser is tilted properly, in which position pawl 58 would then register in recess 48.

On the same side of the dispensing lever 28 we pusher lug 51 adapted segment 88 of a sliding spring pawl 88 adapted notches SI of ratchet inverted formation 01'- are providing an integral to slidably engage cam cam block 88 carrying a to successively drop into ring 28 permitting spring pawl 80'thus to rotatably move ratchet ring 23 step by step one ratchet tooth at a time for each dispensing adjustment of dispensing lever 28; itwill be observed here that tensile spring 82 secured to sliding cam block 88 has the function of automatically returning cam block 88 with its attached spring pawl 88 each time aft spring pawl has pushed the ratchet ring another step or another notch during a dispensing. operation.

Thus in this way each time the fluid-chamber 54 is emptied then the quantity of fluid it holds will be accurately shown through window it in dispenser cap 28 where the number 04 of each succeeding ratchet tooth of ring 23 may be seen as it indicates exactly how many times chamber 54 has been filled and emptied.

It will be noted in Figure 12 that each successively dispensed adlustment oi lever 28 thus to rotatably move ratchet ring 23 one step further around in its rotation where it is held by a holding spring BI which snaps down into the ratchet teeth at its terminal while a pin it extending above ratchet teeth I of ring 23 contacts one of the radially disposed teeth 81 of dial 24 moving the same a quarter turn bringing another numeral in registry with window It of cap 2' to indicate an additional comple rotation of ratchet ring 23.

For example it a number 2 shows in window 68 and a number 19 shows in window 63 this would indicate that ratchet ring 23 has been completely turned twice one step at a time and each chamber 'iull dispensed and is now on the 19th registering ratchet tooth and indicating I1 downwardly against the resistance of a retracting spring 2| seated in spring seat cap 84. This valve 21 is normally lifted to a position where it will admit fluid to chamber 54 to fill the same and when in this position the two opposed side wall recesses or notches I1 and II respectively are lifted with valve 21 by spring 29 to an elevation where the solid cylindrical wall I! of valve 21 will positively close the passages for air and fluid which are needed for the release of fluid from chamber 54.

However when it is desired to dispense a predetermined quantity or fluid such as would fill that ratchet ring 23 is on its 19th dispensing 1 operation toward the third complete rotation of this ring.

It will be observed that when pin .68 moves I the dial too far; and to prevent this weare providing a spring 88 resiliently pressing upon a square hub 10 of dial 24, so that spring ll will hold dial 24 in place each time after it is rotated a quarter turn.

Cap 28 has a slot ll through which dispensing lever 28 extends.

On that edge of dispensing lever 28, which is opposite the cam pushing lug 51 of this lever we areproviding a stepped notch construction having a shallow notch I2 and a deeper notch 13. Cooperating with notches l2 and I: of dispensing lever 28 we are providing a weighted pawl pivoted on a supporting pin 14 with a weighted lug It on one side of pin I4 and a stop member tooth "on the other; so that when litting spring 42 raises dispensing lever 24 after it is released then tooth It will register in the shallow notch I2. in which position tooth 14 will hold dispensing lever it against any possible adlustment from pressing on the free end 4! thereof; but when the bottle and dispensing unit have been tilted to the desired angle for dispensing fluids from chamber 54 then the counterbalance or weighted lug I! carried by pin 14 will at onceswing tooth It back to a position where the deeper notch 13 will slip down over the end or tooth-18, permitting dispensing lever 20 to be.

has at its top end the valve seat cap 34 with a curved valve seat with cam 31 slidably pressing upon the same when dispensing lever 28 presses down upon cam 31 in order to move valve Y manufacture our-dispensing unit from materials chamber 54, the bottle is first tilted enough to permit the fluid to run into and fill chamber 54; then valve 21 is pushed down to a position where the valve gasket 00 will rest upon shoulder i0 shutting ofi any more fluids from the bottle; while at the same time this adjustment of valve 21 places side wall recess or notch ll of valve 21 in communicative registry where intake tube 8| which terminates in a chamber wall pocket 82 preventing undesired escape of fluids through the air tube II, and this adjustment of valve 21 also moves recess or pocket 18 down to a position oi. communicating registry with the intake end of the fluid outlet tube 56.

Thus when valve 21 is forced down by dispensing lever 28 where its side wall recess 11 provides'an air communication through air tube ll into chamber is then the fluid filling chamber 54- will readily escape from this chamber out through the ,valve wall recess 18 and the fluid discharge tube It as the valve gasket ll holds back the fluid more bottle.

;be lifted for the removal of collar I from a bottle neck merely by rotating ring '4 far enough to rotatably slip the cam terminal 86 in under yoke members 3 and 4 which are pivotally hinged in,

operative position within the inner wall at the base of collar I.

It willbe obvious that it will be desirable to I that are light weight and practical for the service for which they are intended with a dispenser unit that-is capable otiunctioning in an efllcient manner when made up as an attractive operating unit for service in public places.

Having thus described the nature of our'invention what we claimis: I

In afiuid dispenser for fluid bottles, a casing removably seeurable to the bottle neck, a dispensing lever pivoted within said casing with the levers free end flanking the outer side thereof. a weighted pivoted tooth-type lug beneath said lever and stepped notches in the lever for receiving said lug and adapted to automatically prevent said lever from becoming adjusted to a fluid dispensing position until the casing and lever are tilted to a dispensing angle.

CHARLES W. REECE. JAMES F. COONEY. 

